Edema or swelling usually occurs in certain parts of the body. In anasarca edema, swelling occurs throughout the body. This condition is usually caused by other conditions that are serious and dangerous if not treated immediately.
Anasarca edema is swelling due to the accumulation of excess fluid in all tissues and body cavities. This condition is usually a symptom of other diseases that are classified as severe, such as disorders of the liver, kidneys, and heart. If not treated immediately, anasarca edema can cause death.
Recognize the Causes and Symptoms of Anasarca Edema
Anasarca edema can be caused by several things, including:
- Cirrhosis
- Kidney failure
- Right side heart failure
- Protein energy malnutrition
- Allergic reaction
Although rare, anasarca edema can also occur in some circumstances, such as excessive use of intravenous fluids, chemotherapy drugs, and alpha-thalassemia. However, this rarely happens.
A person with anasarca edema may experience a number of symptoms, including:
- The surface of the skin becomes concave after being pressed by a finger and does not return immediately
- It's hard to move, because his whole body is swollen
- Difficult to open eyes, due to face swelling
- Drastic weight gain due to accumulated fluid
- Impaired liver, heart and kidney function
If left untreated, anasarca edema can lead to complications in the form of skin injuries, difficulty breathing, heart failure, and eventually death.
Diagnosis and Management of Anasarca Edema
To diagnose anasarca edema, the doctor will ask the patient's medical history and perform a complete physical examination. If needed, the doctor will recommend further tests in the form of:
- Blood tests, to determine liver function, kidney function, and hemoglobin levels
- Urine test, to see the level of protein leakage from the blood
- CT scan, to see the condition of the chest or abdomen
- Ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography), to check the condition of the heart
- Allergy test
Anasarca edema is treated by reducing excess fluid in the patient's body through the administration of diuretic drugs, such as furosemide. Fluid excreted through the urine up to 2-3 liters per day. However, it can't be just that. Doctors must also treat diseases that cause anasarca edema. Otherwise, the swelling will continue to recur.
To support treatment, there are several ways that people with anasarca edema can do to speed up the removal of fluids from their bodies, namely:
- Move more often to help pump excess fluid back to the heart
- Massaging the swollen body part in an upward direction to help fluid return to the heart
- Limiting salt intake to reduce fluid buildup in the blood vessels
Anasarca edema generally does not occur alone, but is caused by a more serious disease. Therefore, this condition cannot be underestimated. If you feel your body swells, especially accompanied by shortness of breath and chest pain, see a doctor immediately for treatment.
